qualification enquiry

[tommysgunns]

ok fellas, i could read through every post on here regarding getting qualified and still draw a blank since everyone seems to be in a different boat. my story is that im 30 and have been working as a spark for 30 months now, started with no knowledge and have worked up to a good knowledge of domestic, good knowledge of commercial and fair knowledge of industrial electrics. my problem is that as much experience as i get if i dont have the right letters and numbers on my cv then i wont make the interview stage to explain what i know. i work for a one man band who also employs a qualified electrician, but who isnt keen for me to do the one day a week college course as he has already put 2 lads through this and he wasnt looking to do another so basically its down to me to get myself qualified. obviously inspect & test isnt a priority so im kind of looking for the best way to get qualified in my own time without costing myself 7k which is what ive seen on several websites? ideally looking for one place to do the lot but if i have to do in bits then so be it...

 

[shagbite]

tommy, just to reiterate what phil said in post #9, try and get on the 2356 (nvq 3) before december's deadline. i'd go the college route though - they tend to be a bit cheaper than the training centres. if you've signed up for the 2330, then you're going to want the nvq as well (if you want a jib card). the nvq won't get in the way of your work either, as you just take your portfolio into college (evening time) when you've collected the evidence. good luck fella.

 

[tommysgunns]

Ok, so what's the advantage of the 2356 before December over the 2357 after December? And is the portfolio included in the 2356 then?

 

[shagbite]

Ok, so what's the advantage of the 2356 before December over the 2357 after December? And is the portfolio included in the 2356 then?

2330 is the technical certificates (levels 2 & 3)
2356 is level 3 nvq.
2357 is a diploma that is a combination of technical certificates and nvq.

if you want a jib card you'll need either 2357 on it's own or, a combination of 2330 and 2356.

you're already signed up for the 2330 and the 2356 is being retired at the end of the year. this means you'll have the technical certificates but lack the nvq. if you want to obtain the nvq at a later date, you'll have to do the 2357 diploma which would entail doing the technical certificates again.

if you sign up for the 2356, they'll give you until 2015 to complete the portfolio.

this is how i understand it, but i may be wrong. C & G like to juggle things around every couple of weeks and it might have changed.

 

[tommysgunns]

Riiiight making sense now, so if the 2357 replaces the 2330 and 2356 after December will that not then be the preferred way to go? 2330 being a 34 week course will it not take a backseat in colleges with the big push going on the 2357? All questions the college will answer I'm sure, when they call, but good to get an outside opinion and know what I'm talking about before I speak to them. Thanks again

 

[shagbite]

the reason that i suggested you take up the 2356 (nvq level 3) is because you expressed an interest in doing the 2330 technical certificates. this route was established to enable access to the electrical trade for people not already employed in the industry. students can do the technical cert's and learn the theory behind what we do. then, when the work's rolling in, they can compile a portfolio of site based evidence in order to achieve the nvq.
the 2357 diploma is aimed at people who are already employed in our sector, it would not be a viable option for someone who isn't getting the work. if you've got steady work, like i believe you said, then i'd probably dump the 2330 and jump onto the new 2357.

let us know how you get on.

 

[sonystu]

Hi,

Not too sure where you are in the country, but contact Positive Training in Harlow - very helpful staff members!

- - - Updated - - -

Hi,

Not too sure where you are in the country, but contact Positive Training in Harlow - very helpful staff members!

 

[tommysgunns]

Hi guys, have got myself sorted with the college now, and for anyone in the same boat as me, ie in work within the industry with a couple years experience, then I'm told the route to go is to do your technical cert level 2 and the logbook part of the nvq and that is enough to get qualified. Cheers for all advice, much appreciated.

 

[shagbite]

Hi guys, have got myself sorted with the college now, and for anyone in the same boat as me, ie in work within the industry with a couple years experience, then I'm told the route to go is to do your technical cert level 2 and the logbook part of the nvq and that is enough to get qualified. Cheers for all advice, much appreciated.

hi, tommy.

when you say qualified, do you mean qualified in the eyes of the JIB? if you're wanting a gold card, i think you'll find that you also need the 2330 level 3 technical certificate. you won't get the electrician's grade without it.


have you enrolled on a traditional long course with a college, or have you signed up with one of the training providers that offer the 5 week courses? if it's the latter, then you might find that it's only a 'domestic installer' course. at the end of it, you won't be eligible for the JIB gold card.

 

[tommysgunns]

No it's an actual collegiate that do the full whack, I'll ask the question though, I'm not fussed what I have to do, just so long as I'm on the right track, it's more for the possibility of one day having to be taken on elsewhere since I work for a one man band, make myself a little bit more employable

 

[Andrew Youll]

hi, tommy.

when you say qualified, do you mean qualified in the eyes of the JIB? if you're wanting a gold card, i think you'll find that you also need the 2330 level 3 technical certificate. you won't get the electrician's grade without it.

not 100% true you can get the electricians grade with just your 2356 if you can prove you have done "equivalent" training to an apprenticeship. You would need to supply references and proof of employment though.

 

[tommysgunns]

That's easily done I guess, boss and other sparks as references, been in work now for 3 years, not sure how long technical cert takes so essentially 4 or 5 by the time that's done? Since I work for a one man band with another lad, doing domestic, commercial and warehouse work, assume that covers the spectrum for my portfolio. Jib card for working on big sites is it?

 

[shagbite]

not 100% true you can get the electricians grade with just your 2356 if you can prove you have done "equivalent" training to an apprenticeship. You would need to supply references and proof of employment though.

2330 technical certificates levels 2 & 3 form 1 part of the requirements laid down by the jib, with regards to obtaining a gold card. the other 2 parts are the level 3 nvq and, an apprenticeship (or equivalent training).

are you saying they'll give someone the electrician's grading without the technical certificates?

 

[Johnuk]

just ring up j,i,b they will put you straight coz I think u have a wrong idea on what you need

 

[tommysgunns]

Not too fussed about the jib card at present, after speaking to Warrington collegiate this is what they have suggested, I'm assuming, to allow me to setup on my own, not what I'm planning on doing though, not really experienced enough yet, just after A a pay rise lol and B something solid on my Cv to back me up if I ever have to find work elsewhere. Once I have done these then obviously further quality will be on the cards. Gonna go back to the college and double check with what's been said here though, I take it all on board

 

[Andrew Youll]

2330 technical certificates levels 2 & 3 form 1 part of the requirements laid down by the jib, with regards to obtaining a gold card. the other 2 parts are the level 3 nvq and, an apprenticeship (or equivalent training).

are you saying they'll give someone the electrician's grading without the technical certificates?

I know of two people who have gotten an Electricians graded card without the tech certs. the JIB website says:

1.3 Electrician

Qualification and Training
Must satisfy the following conditions:-

(1) Must have been a registered Apprentice or undergone some equivalent method of training and have had adequate practical training in electrical installation work.

(2) Must have obtained an NVQ Level 3 in electrical installation work (or approved equivalent) - see Note 1.

(3) Must have obtained a pass in the City & Guilds 2360 Electrical Installation Theory Part 2 Course Certificate or the EAL Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (500/3526/5) (or approved equivalent).

could be they fell into the "approved equiv" category, I don't know but I do know neither had 2360, 2351 or 2330 L3.​